August 7 through 13 is National Health Center Week, and we’re excited to highlight what it means to us here at Cempa Community Care!

The first National Health Center Week was celebrated more than 30 years ago, according to HealthCenterWeek.org. Each year, the week shines a spotlight on health centers across the nation, the first of which was launched in 1965 to bring affordable (or no-cost) care to those who need it. This effort to expand access to care was a component of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society,” a program focused on leveling the playing field for all Americans. The program addressed a wide range of needs, including environmental issues, racial equality, education, and more. But the portion we focus on during National Health Center Week is, of course, our nation’s health centers.

At Cempa, we are proud to be a community health center that connects underserved communities in our area to much-needed care. Our mission is to champion healthy communities by providing affordable, compassionate, and high-quality care through advancing comprehensive support services and person-centered best practices. To achieve that mission, we continue to expand our services to meet community needs. 

Today, we are able to deliver primary care and pharmacy services to all uninsured and insured clients at multiple locations, including our Impact Hub. At the Impact Hub, we also offer these services to our STEP TN clients, as well as help with wound care if needed. Through efforts like these, we aim to provide healthcare to those in the Chattanooga community that may otherwise not have access. 

“We are a non-judgemental organization looking to improve health outcomes in the community,” says Naloni “Loni” Howard, Community Health Care Manager at Cempa. “We have the capability to serve individuals from all walks of life. We are eager to help offer high-quality healthcare to those who need it.”

The Cempa Impact Hub clinic offers a full range of services including primary medical care, women’s health, laboratory services, and health maintenance for preventative care. Impact Hub clients also benefit from partnerships with other organizations operating out of the same building, gaining access to programs and services like the Metropolitan Ministries’ grocery store. 

“We feel it’s important to offer these services in this area, especially because the Rossville Blvd. area has a high rate of health disparities,” Loni says. “Our goal is to draw in residents of this particular community and surrounding communities that need healthcare and have been unable to access it for whatever reason.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from services offered by the Impact Hub, click here for hours, location information, and more.